If you want to be a great writer, you must use the best screenwriting software. The best screenwriting software can help you achieve your goals by providing a distraction-free environment and allowing you to outline scenes and characters quickly. In this article, I rank and review the 11 most excellent screenwriting software programs and my top five recommendations so that you may choose the best one for you.
The streaming wars are heating up, and there is more international cinematic talent. If you’re a professional screenwriter wanting to break into the movie business, you don’t have to live in Hollywood or rub shoulders with directors and producers daily. You only need a computer, screenwriting software, a literary agency, and a natural talent for writing (and a lot of luck). You’ll need the most excellent screenwriting tools to get your script from paper to screen.
- Final Draft 12
- Movie Magic Screenwriter
- WriterDuet: Best for collaborations
- Celtx: Best for production features
- Scrivener: Best for a book to script
- Arc Studio Pro
- Celtx
- WriterDuet
- Trelby
- Scrivener
- Fade In
- KIT Scenarist
- Movie Magic Screenwriter
- Highland 2
- StudioBinder
15 Best Screenwriting Software of 2022
Final Draft 12
According to the Final Draft website, it easy to see why this software utilized in about 95% of film and television production. The software’s primary interface allows you to color-code items like story beats, acts, characters, and locations, making it easy to see an overview of your entire production.
Collaboration is effortless; with a single click of a button, you can invite collaborators to participate in online editing and writing. A chat function allows you to discuss story choices. You can log modifications and see who made them with the application to compare old and new scenarios instantly. And thanks to the new ‘concentration’ function, you can easily disregard all of the latest bells and whistles and get into the writing flow.
Final Draft 12 contains production-tracking tools that show how the script managed once it moved into the filming or performance stage, valid even after writing.
The package’s cost is the only genuine drawback we can detect. At $249.99, it’s one of the more expensive options, but it’s the clear industry leader, in our opinion. If you just getting started with screenwriting, a less expensive choice preferable (although this package currently offers a 60-day free trial period.) Having your script prepared professionally with a program like Final Draft 12 will give you an advantage when submitting it to a production company.
Movie Magic Screenwriter
Movie Magic Screenwriter is a less-priced alternative to Final Draft, but it still has a lot of the tools you’ll need — and it’s also popular among professionals. Distracting ideas jotted down with note tools, and an outline view lets you maintain track of characters and scenarios. For example, you can use a filter to isolate a symbol to remember what they were doing five scenes ago. Details become hazy after a long period of writing. Colour-coding scenes, characters, and activities are also possible with Movie Magic Screenwriter. You can look at characters from a specific family or group by filtering by colour.
Movie Magic screenwriting software several templates in various styles for screenplays, television scripts, and even books, ensuring that your comedy spec script formatted correctly. It also offers collaboration tools that allow you to work for a hand with another writer and a text-to-voice capability that will enable you to hear how your lines sound when read aloud.
On the negative, it lacks a fully-featured beat board and learning all of the software’s features is difficult. While many screenwriters use it, it isn’t as widely used as Final Draft, so keep that in mind if you plan to collaborate with many other people on your projects.
WriterDuet: Best for collaborations
WriterDuet is a terrific alternative if you’re working on a script with a group of other authors. It’s designed for multiple individuals working on the same project, and all of its features emphasize accessibility and collaboration. You may view your script from any laptop, PC, or mobile device because it’s browser-based, so you don’t have to download software to your machine. If you frequently use your phone to retrieve scripts, even a mobile app makes things easier.
You don’t have to pay anything because you pay for a WriterDuet subscription. There are several payment options for whatever degree of access you require and a free version that is quite useful (if a little limited). We thought the pricing tiers overly complicated, considering few people will opt for anything other than the Pro version.
All papers are compatible with other screenwriting software, such as Final Draft, and you may import and edit screenplays of practically any sort before returning them to their original format. It’s a pretty versatile program, but it works best when used with something like Final Draft or Movie Maker.
Celtx: Best for production features
Celtx started as a screenwriting tool but, over time, has evolved into more of a production management tool. That’s fine if you only want something to handle script management, but there are better choices for scripting and creation. However, what you get remarkable, that Celtx can be used in various media, including video games and other non-TV and movie video production, which nice plus.
You may work online and store all of your scripts in the cloud because it’s a membership service. Although numerous tools are available for the entire production team, Celtx is simple, regardless of which part you’re working on. It designed to allow innumerable collaborators to work on a script simultaneously, and you may tag and highlight things in each section to help you find specific parts of the hand. We also like being able to construct timetable calendars and collaborate on a project as a group.
But here’s the thing: Celtx is weaker in script authoring. The same tools were more challenging to use than those in WriterDuet and Final Draft, and importing and exporting scripts was more difficult. Although itb reasonably priced, we prefer Final Draft instead if you’re a screenwriter wanting to develop scripts.
Scrivener: Best for a book to script
Many screenwriters seek to adapt novels or other materials into scripts, and Scrivener is an excellent tool. For $45, you can acquire software that operates like Microsoft Word and plays well with it (or similar word processing apps). The user interfaces are comparable, and you have the same formatting and text manipulation capabilities. It’s also straightforward to import text from programs like Word, so if you’re given drafts of published works, you can easily import them into Scrivener.
Furthermore, after you’ve figured out how it all works, you can easily switch between whatever section you’re working on and the complete task, breaking down more significant pieces of work into smaller chunks. Although there are organization and editing tools, they aren’t as comprehensive as those found in the Final Draft of Celtx. We appreciate that you can keep your research notes next to your script to cross-reference for accuracy at all times. If you’re writing nonfiction scripts, this is quite useful.
It’s also reasonably priced (although some upgrades may be required), so it’s ideal if you’re just getting started on a project and need a first draft script, especially if you’re starting with nothing but source material.
Arc Studio Pro
Arc Studio Pro is the best-designed screenwriting software on the market, and it’s quickly becoming the industry standard. It is used by pros, such as the Arcane (Netflix) writers’ room, but it is also incredibly beginner-friendly, thanks to its intuitive design. The best aspect is that it offers a free plan, which is ideal for those just starting.
Celtx
Celtx is a cloud-based, cross-platform screenwriting and media pre-production tool. It is one of the top screenwriting apps globally, with over 6 million users worldwide. This software gives you tools to help you generate better content faster, from script to shoot. Because it is cloud-based software, you may access your accounts from anywhere. Furthermore, Celtx’s sophisticated reports can help you acquire actionable production information.
WriterDuet
WriterDuet is a screenwriting program that allows you to write and edit scripts and other forms of media. It meets a wide range of needs and, in addition to screenwriting, can also be used for video editing and gaming.
The software’s selling point allows writers to collaborate from different locations and on multiple devices in real time. It is not a free software screenwriting tool, but it does offer three free scripts when you sign up. This goes above and beyond what other screenwriting software currently provides.
Trilby
Trelby, formerly known as ‘Blythe,’ is a free and open-source screenwriting program. It is presently accessible on GitHub and works on Windows and Linux platforms. Trelby is a GPL-licensed platform that invites developers and screenwriters to cooperate and improve it. It also has an integrated, highly programmable PDF generator.
Scrivener
Scrivener is a screenwriting software application for authors and novelists first launched in 2007. It’s one of the most excellent screenwriting programs on the market, with features like note organization, drag-and-drop functionality, and batch editing of several documents.
It runs on Windows, Mac OS X, iOS, and Linux. The most attractive feature that it also be used for project management. It may also imitate a typewriter, a ring binder, and a scrapbook.
Fade In
Fade In one of the top screenwriting software programs on the market right now, created in 2011. It’s popular in the film business and works on various platforms, including Mac, Windows, Android, Linux, and iOS. It’s also one of the most cost-effective software solutions, with many valuable features.
Thanks to features like multilingual support, an action-to-dialogue calculator, and comprehensive rewrite and revision functionality, it quickly gains traction as the next industry standard. It dubbed a direct competitor to the software Final Draft.’
KIT Scenarist
KIT Scenarist widely regarded as one of the best screenplay software programs. It provides one of the unique full scriptwriting experiences available.
The best aspect is that it is free and open-source software with many customization options. Furthermore, it used by over 3000 authors worldwide and provides practically monthly updates to keep up with the latest technologies (more than 70 updates to date).
Movie Magic Screenwriter
Movie Magic Screenwriter multi-award-winning program that can be used to write screenplays, novels, comic comics, stage plays, musicals, and much more.
It provides free online videos to help customers learn how to use the software and also allows them to download a free demo version to check it out. It has appeared in numerous Hollywood films, including the famous ‘Pirates of the Caribbean series.
Highland 2
Highland 2 is now one of the best screenwriting programs available. However, it is currently only compatible with Mac. It includes a simple, user-friendly interface that lets you concentrate entirely on your writing.
It also has great customizability, making it ideal for individuals or teams with a wide range of needs. It has a free version with limited functionality. You must upgrade to a paid version to access more significant, more advanced features.
StudioBinder
StudioBinder is currently one of the most popular screenwriting programs available. It simple interface and is known for its sleek appearance. It also offers handy, fully configurable solutions for photo and video production companies to better organize their work by bringing everything together on a single platform. Thousands of companies worldwide rely on it, including industry leaders like Spotify.
Conclusion
By using screenwriting software, you won’t become the next Quentin Tarantino, Aaron Sorkin, or John August. On the other hand, professional screenwriting software can make things easier by guiding you through the process of creating a clean, structured, error-free, pitch-ready script.
People Also Asked
What is the best way to use screenwriting software?
To use any screenwriting software, you must first download it from the URL, install it, and follow the on-screen instructions.
What advantages does a paid version have over a free version?
You will gain extra privacy and protection if you choose the paid version and better customer assistance. Paid services, unlike free software, are less likely to include hazardous viruses or malware.
What is the backup procedure for my work?
Every screenwriting program will allow you to save a backup of your work. Some of these, however, may not automated. As a result, you must use this feature every time you exit a program or turn off your computer.
What features should I look for in screenwriting software?
There are a lot of things to think about before buying screenwriting software. The most crucial criteria are the type of script format it supports, the availability of an automatic backup feature, convenience of use, and compatibility with various operating systems.
